Glee Comes to Wootton High School

Funny noises are coming from Wootton Parkway.  Is it the high school putting on a homespun version of Glee?

I doubt it.  If anything, the shouts of joy are coming from Dr. Doran and his buddies from Carver.

You may ask why.

In this age of tight budgets and overcrowded classrooms, Wootton is getting yet another building addition!  Seems as if the last project was just completed - although it was in 2002.

Surprise.  Mr. Crispell's projections are wrong again.

In most parts of the county, kids are crammed into overcrowded and aging classrooms, and have to wait until for any type of building improvements because precious construction dollars must  be allocated and carefully planned.

But not at Wootton.  We don't want those darling test wizards to be in an overcrowded facility.

Whatever Wootton wants, Wootton gets (sorry Damn Yankees fans, this one comes to mind).

But curious taxpayers want to know - what did Dr. Doran have to promise to get a construction process fast tracked?

Thank goodness the community stopped the cell tower project last year.  Hasn't anyone told MCPS that land is a limited resource?

Phil's Pheeding Phrenzy

Phil - I am really surprised.

The more I read your proposed policy on Board members expense reimbursement,   the more disappointed I get.

As I've stated before, I don't like your proposed policy.  But - I was willing to let you and your phriends on the Board of Education go to two meetings and two "events."  However, the more I look at the "events" list, the more disappointed I get.

For example, your policy says that MCPS events are not eligible - so why do you have the MCCPTA Principals and Presidents Dinner?   PAY YOUR OWN WAY.

Annual Latin Dance Competition?  It says MCPS, so take it off the list and pay your own way.

Committee for Montgomery Legislative Breakfast - this is political so take it off the list and pay your own way.  Same for the Minority Legislative Breakfast.

Finally - another cut at what should come off the list?

Any event where one of your Board members or Board staff sits on the Board of the sponsoring organization.  Good bye Gala for Community Services for Autistic Adults and Children.

I'll check the list and get back to you will additional deletions.

Anyone else care to comment?

The next meeting of  to discuss the policy on Board members "compensation and expense standards" will be the July 22, 2014 meeting of the Ad Hoc Committee for Review of Board Processes and Guidelines on Board Expenditures.

Let Phil know that the credit card issue is out of control and embarrassing. Tell Phil and the other Carverites to stay home, pack a bag lunch, and stop the feeding frenzy.

Contact for Phil:

Phil_Kauffman@mcpsmd.org 

Contact for Board of Education:

Board of Education Office

Montgomery County Public Schools
Carver Educational Services Center
850 Hungerford Drive, Room 123
Rockville, Maryland 20850

Tel: 301-279-3617
Fax: 301-279-3860
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E-mail: boe@mcpsmd.org 

  Feeding Frenzy by Magnet Mom

The Latest from Wootton HS - no cell tower but possible expansion of the school?

Wootton HS in Rockville Maryland may not be getting a cell tower, but it isn't because the neighbors complained.

No, according to a memo from Superintendent of Schools Josh Starr, the staff in MCPS's own department of Facilities Management also had reservations about the cell tower placement.  The reason - the cell tower would not only take out numerous parking spots, but would pose "potential conflicts between the proposed location and the planned future revitalization and expansion of the school facility."

More students. This sounds as if the expansion is imminent.

Who knew?

  May 22 2014 Memo From Star by Magnet Mom

Julius West's Principal Follows Wootton's Cell Phone Dance

Another day, another Rockville principal thinks he can place a cell phone tower at "his" school without community approval.
Wondering who this is?  Craig Staton, Principal at Julius West MS in Rockville.
Really Mr. Staton? What part of "no" do you not understand?
Following the great example at Wootton High School across I270, Mr. Staton thinks a cell phone tower at Julius West is a great opportunity. A few months back, he told the PTA.
Funny, but just like Wootton's community, the Julius West community heard this before and said no. And like Wootton, Mr. Staton believes in the saying, if at first you don't succeed, try, try again.
BUT - principals come and go, and so do students and their families. So what if the PTSA agrees to a cell phone tower - its less money for them to raise, and hey, they will be out of there in a few years. Don't anger the principal, after all, he might take it out on your student.
Communities, however, have to live with the cell towers, the hazardous materials, diesel fuel, and noise forever. And, folks who live in the community more often than not don't have kids in the school. Middle school is three years, high school is four. How long have you owned your house? How long are you planning to stay? Bet the answer is longer than three or four years.
 Mr. Staton and Dr. Doran don't even come close to following the MCPS policy for seeking approval for a cell phone tower at the school. According to the MCPS Real Estate Management Strategic Plan, if the community says no - that's it. No cell tower on the school property. Here is the chart from the school system's own plan:

MCPS REM Process Page 13

A funny thing happened on the way to Wootton's cell phone tower.
Dr. Doran forgot to invite the community.
He told his PTSA, he put a meeting on the website, and he told his feeder schools. Community? Don't need to notify them, someone else can do that at the supermarket.
Much to Dr. Doran's surprise, a crowd of angry neighborhood residents showed up, and said, where's Dr. Doran and why isn't he here? And, the cell phone tower deal was cancelled.
Note to Julius West community - start your emails and phone calls to Mr. Staton. Here is his contact information. Let him know that as a member of the community impacted by this decision, you are firm in your NO.  Mr. Craig Staton Craig_Staton@mcpsmd.org  301-279-3979
To the communities near the other 200+ schools in Montgomery County? Beware, a cell phone tower may be coming to your school soon. Know your rights, and be vigilent. After all, principals come and go, so does the PTSA leadership. Its hard for the PTSA to turn down a principal's request, but its not so hard for the rest of us.
Bigger questions for the Montgomery County Taxpayers.  Should principals be concerned about fundraising and cell phones, or should they devote their attention to the education of the students in their building.
And, really, why do school principals have so much power over placement of cell phone towers at school sites? That is the bigger question.

Growing (cellular) Trees in Rockville

Do you have children in a Rockville public school?

Our wonderful principals are already looking forward to next year, and how to make some cash!

Yes, if your student is at Wootton HS or Julius West MS, your principal has a plan.  Did you know about it?

Both schools will be planting cell phone trees on school property - to make a little cash.

Mark your calendar for May 20 at 7 pm at Wootton HS.  Parents of the Julius West community should attend too - since you are getting a similar deal, and many of you live right across Scott Drive from Wootton and  its lovely tower.

Didn't you know that money is tight?  Despite the County Council fully funding the Superintendent's request, apparently, the principals at JW and Wootton need more cash.  

The solution?  Cell phone trees on school property.

Can they do this?  They think so.

Really?  Haven't we been down this path before at Wootton?  Yes, we have - you can read all about it.

In 2004, the community objected, the project looked a little obtrusive, and the plan was scrapped.  Good thing, because how many of us have cell phone service with Cingular these days?  But now Cingular is part of AT & T and the company has an amazing deal all worked out with Dr. Doran - who has graciously decided to share this amazing deal with Julius West.  You can read about Wootton's deal in Dr. Doran's note below.

So -mark your calendars and attend the May 20 meeting.  Please be sure to ask Dr. Doran the following questions:

1.  When did our lovely Board of Education vote to allow a cell phone tower on the Wootton field?

2.  Who will sign the lease agreement (see #1)

3.  How much does Wootton get?  How much does each feeder school get - remember the cluster has six elementary schools and two middle schools that are part of the cluster).

4.   Who are the commercial vendors who will be part of the lease agreement and how will you check who has access to the school?

5.  Is the tower really going on your brand new artificial turf field?  Or are you thinking about removing some of the surrounding trees (don't even try, its public parkland) or parking spots?

6.  What can you tell us about the back up generators?  How often are they tested?  Do they require fuel delivery?

7.  Will you register the site with the fire department as a HAZMAT location?

8.  What other local permits are required before this plan goes forward?

9.  How many teachers can you hire with the cell phone revenue stream?

While I know Dr. Doran will have ALL the answers at the meeting, you may want to contact him in advance to share your thoughts.  He can be reached at  301-279-8550 or Michael_J_Doran@mcpsmd.org.

We will share information about the JW cell phone project as soon as it is available.

From: "THOMAS S WOOTTON HIGH SCHOOL" 
Sent: Tuesday, May 13, 2014 3:30:10 PM
Subject: cell tower

A message from THOMAS S WOOTTON HIGH SCHOOL

Greetings from Wootton…  We have been approached by AT&T and its contractors about the possibility of having a cell tower installed in our stadium.  We’ve already met with them, as well as the folks from MCPS Real Estate management division.  The school and it’s feeder school would receive a revenue stream for the next 10 years.  With ever-shrinking budgets at every level, this revenue would go a long way in supporting the work we do here at Wootton as well as our excellent feeders.  We’d like to reach out to our community to get your thoughts on the project.  In an effort to do so, we’re holding a  meeting in our media center on 5/20 at 7:00pm  Representatives from AT&T and Site Link Wireless Inc. will be on hand to answer any question regarding this proposal.  Please don’t hesitate to contact my Business Administrator, Philip Hill 301-279-8559,  if you need further information.